Purse-size face-illuminating flashlight and mirror

ABSTRACT

A lady&#39;&#39;s handbag-size mirror is mounted in a molded plastic frame formed with a cavity extending diametrically behind the mirror containing a dry cell battery. A lightbulb extends from one end of the cavity beyond the periphery of the mirror and is adapted to project light beams to the face of a user looking into the mirror. A removable depressible button extends from the other end of the cavity for actuating a normally open switch to light the bulb and permits access to the cavity for changing the battery and bulb. The frame is formed in mating halves which meet substantially in a plane parallel to that of the mirror.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Sidney Schwartz Manhattan, N.Y. (375West End Ave., New York, N.Y. 10024) [2]] Appl. No. 767,362

[22] Filed Oct. 14, 1968 [45] Patented May4, 1971 [54] PURSE-SIZEFACE-ILLUMINATING FLASHLIGHT Primary Examiner-Samuel S. MatthewsAssistant Examiner-Richard L. Moses Att0rneyBarnett & Barnett ABSTRACT:A ladys handbag-size mirror is mounted in a molded plastic frame formedwith a cavity extending diametrically behind the mirror containing a drycell battery. A lightbulb extends from one end of the cavity beyond theperiphery of the mirror and is adapted to project light beams to theface of a user looking into the mirror. A removable depressible buttonextends from the other end of the cavity for actuating a normally openswitch to light the bulb and permits access to the cavity for changingthe battery and bulb. The frame is formed in mating halves which meetsubstantially in a plane parallel to that of the mirror.

PATENTED MAY 4 l97| Z T mR m H WC S Y E N m s 6 c 06 F.

ATTORNEYS PURSE-SIZE FACE-ILLUMINATING FLASHLIGHT AND MIRROR FIELD OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to a mirror of handbag or pursesize incorporating a flashlight, the bulb of which is located to projecta beam of light to illuminate the face of a user looking into themirror.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the objects of the invention is togenerally improve and simplify the construction of mirror and flashlightunits of the character described. The invention contemplates a devicewhich shall comprise a novel arrangement of few and simple parts, someparts being standard and readily available and others, particularly theframe or mirror casing, moldable in relatively low cost quantityproduction of plastic resinous material. The parts are readily assembledwith a minimum of skilled labor into a reliable mirror and flashlightunit which is rugged in construction, colorful and attractive inappearance. relatively small and compact for easy handling and fittinginto '1 lady's purse or handbag, and convenient to operate by holding inthe palm of one hand. A normally open press-to-light button switch isreadily accessible for operation by one of the fingers of the holdinghand, leaving the other hand entirely free for application of cosmeticsor other desired manipulations, such as, holding a theatre program whenusing the flashlight for reading purposes. The novel arrangement ofparts includes a plastic molded frame for the mirror which also servesas a casing for the flashlight. The frame is formed as rear and frontmating members which are joined together after the mirror is inserted inposition therebetween. The rear frame member has its depth increasedalong a diameter of the mirror to provide a chamber behind the mirrorfor housing the flashlight components. The chamber at one end extendsbeyond the periphery of the mirror and seats the light bulb in registerwith the opening in the front frame member through which light rays aredirected substantially perpendicular to the surface of the mirror, thatis, in a direction to illuminate the face of a user when looking intothe mirror. The opposite end of the chamber is open for receiving theflashlight components therethrough and has its wall formed for theremovable retention of the press-to-light switch button serving as aclosure for the opening and projecting radially outwardly with respectto the periphery of the mirror and diametrically opposite the lightbulb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofthe face illuminating flashlight and mirror unit embodying theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on line [H1 in FIG. I showing thearrangement and location of the light bulb, battery and switch whichcomprise the flashlight.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the mirror unit as seen from theleft in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are interior plan views of the rear and front casingmembers, respectively, of the plastic molded frame separated and .laidopen, with the mirror, battery, light bulb and switch button removed.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are sections taken on lines Vl-Vl and VII-VII in FIGS. 4and 5, respectively, and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the unit in FIG. 3 showing theswitch button and entrance track for the bayonet type mounting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring in detail to thedrawing, 10 denotes a face-illuminating flashlight and mirror unitconstructed to embody the invention comprising a mirror It mountedbetween rear and front mating frame members 12 and I3, respectivelyRearframe member I2 is formed to contain a flashlight assembly comprising alight bulb 14, compression spring 15, battery 16 ,and switch button 17,located diametrically behind and arranged so that bulb I4 and button 17,project beyond the periphery of mirror 11.

Mating frame members l2, l3 and switch button 17 may be molded of asuitable plastic resin, such as, polystyrene, high impact styrene,linear polyethylene, andthe like, in a wide variety of colors, toprovide the functional parts herein described and shown in the drawingand any design features to enhance the attractiveness and appeal of unit10 as a lady's handbag accessory.

Frame members 12 and 13 are generally dish-shaped, having oppositefacing peripheral edges 12a and 13a, respectively, meeting in abutmentsubstantially in a plane x-x space behind mirror 11. Rear frame member12 has its deepest portion extending along a diameter thereof to providea flashlight containing chamber 10a defined by a pair of spaced apartparallel, diametrically extending interior walls 12d upstanding fromrear wall 126. A pair of arcuate-shaped interior walls l2f.are arrangedin a circle on both sides of chamber 10a upstanding from rear wall 120and extending forwardly beyond plane x-x forming a backing against whichmirror 11 is supported.

Front frame member 13 has a large central opening 10b in front wall 130exposing mirror 11 which is peripherally securedby a bezel ring 13dintegrally formed to surround opening 10b and a pair of arcuate-shapedinterior walls 13c upstanding from'front wall 13c and extendingrearwardly to plane x-x to surround the peripheral edge of mirror 11.

As is clear from FIGS. 2 and 4, flashlight containing chamber 10a hasthe light bulb endthereof slightly enlarged by interior walls 12d beingoffset from each other and terminating in arcuate portions 12e whichmerge with a forward extension of rear wall 12c, closing this endportion of chamber except for semicircular opening 13f which is formedin front wall 13c outwardly of bezel ring 13d for projecting light beamstherethrough to illuminate the face of the user. A cradle 12g upstandingfrom rear wall is sized to seat and properly locate light bulb 14 is inthe enlarged end of chamber 10a.

The opposite or switch button mounting end of chamber 10a is formed witha semicircular wall portion 12b of rear wall 12c which mates with asimilar wall portion 13b of front frame wall I3c providing a cylindricalend opening through which switch button I7 projects. Semicircular walls121) and 13b meet in a plane which substantially bisects chamber 10a,that is, in a plane offset rearwardly from plane x-x as shown in FIGS.3, 6, 7 and 8. Switch button 17 is cylindrically shaped and may bemolded with a hollow center which opens inwardly and a laterallyextending pin 17a adapted to engage a track provided betweenlongitudinally extending long and short parallel ribs 133 and 13:,respectively, on the interior surface of semicircular wall 13b andclosed at the outer end thereof by a partially transverse edge flange13] which terminates at short rib 13: so that an entrance track 13k forpin 17a is provided alongside short rib 13i as is clear from FIGS. 5 and8. To facilitate joining frame members 12 and 13 together, suitableregistering means may be provided, such as, alignment pins 13hupstanding from peripheral edge 13a and located to seat in registeringpin bores 12h formed in edge 12a.

To accommodate variations in the thickness of commercially availablemirrors and to insure a-snug fit yet avoid undue stress which may crackthe mirror, a sheet of cushioning material 18 may be interposed betweenthe back of mirror 11 and thefront-facing edges of interior walls 12f.Any suitable resilient and compressible material may be used, as forexample, any of the foams made of polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl,rubber or the like.

Assembly of unit 10 may be readily accomplished by placing mirror 11 andcushioning sheet 18 within the confines of arcuate interior walls I3e offrom frame member I3. Rear frame member 12 is then brought intoregistered alignment so that locatingpins 13h engage bores 12!: and thefront-facing surfaces of arcuate-shaped interior walls 12f are broughtto bear against cushioning sheet 18. Frame members 12 and 13 are thenbonded together along peripheral edges 12a and 13a by any suitablemeans, such as, by cementing, ultrasonic sealing 'and the like. Theflashlight components may be preassembled with compression spring 15sewing both as a mechanical and electrical connection between the lightbulb base terminal and the battery casing terminal and normallyseparating the bulb and battery center terminals in an open switchposition as is clear from FIG. 2. The flashlight assembly is theninserted into flashlight chamber a through the end opening thereof sothat light bulb 14 seats in cradle 12g and positions the bat tery 16 forengagement by switch button 17 when inserted into the chamber endopening in bayonet-seat fashion, that is, by aligning button 17 so thatpin 17a slides through entrance track 13k, depressing button 17 toinsure clearance of short rib l3i by pin 17a, and rotating button 17 ina clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 8 until pin 17a engages long rib13g wherein it is positioned for axial movement along the confined trackbetween long rib 13g and short rib l3i.

In use, face-illuminating flashlight and mirror unit 10 may be held inthe palm of one hand, orientated as shown in FIG. 1 so that the indexfinger is in operative contact with switch button 17. Upon depressionthe latter, battery 16 is forced downwardly against the action ofcompression spring 15 bringing the center terminals of the bulb l4 andbattery 16 into'electrical contact to close the circuit and light bulb14 which is positioned, with the aid of the reflecting surfaces of thesurrounding walls thereof, to project light beams to illuminate the faceof a user when looking at himself in mirror 11. Upon release, battery 16is forced upwardly by compression spring 15, opening the circuit andreturning switch button 17 to its fully extended position wherein pin17a engages transverse edge flange 13j as shown in FIG. 2.

To replace battery 16 and/or light bulb l4, switch button 17 is fullydepressed as in lighting bulb l4 and then rotated through about 30 ofarc in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 8 so that pin [70clears short rib 131' for withdrawal through entrance track 13kpermitting removal of switch button 17. Upon inverting unit 10, theflashlight assembly will readily slide out of chamber 100 and afterservicing the parts are reassembled as hereinbefore described.

The purse size face-illuminating flashlight and mirror herein disclosedis seen to achieve the several objects of the invention and to be welladapted to meet conditions of practical use. As

various possible embodiments might be made in this invention, and asvarious changes might be made in the disclosed construction, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanyingdrawing are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

lclaim:

l. A face-illuminating flashlight and mirror unit comprising apurse-size mirror secured in a frame comprising front and rear matingmembers joined together substantially in a plane parallel to and behindthe plane of said mirror, said from member having a large centralopening in which 'said mirror is secured against forward movement by anintegrally formed bezel ring and against planar movement by interiorwall sections extending about portions of the periphery of the mirror,said rear frame member having a rear wall from which diametricallyextend behind the mirror a pair of spaced parallel walls definingopposite sidewalls of a chamber, a pair of arcuate walls, one spaced oneither side of said chamber, upstanding from said rear wall andprojecting forwardly beyond the plane of said joint of the matingmembers forming a backing against rearward movement of the mirror, aflashlight assembly located in-said chamber and having a light bulbextending beyond the periphery of the mirror, said front frame memberhaving a further opening adjacent said light bulb, and a switch button,spring biased in a normally open extended position, projecting from anopen end of said chamber beyond the periphery of the mirrordiametrically opposite said light bulb, said light bulb, mirror, frameand switch button being constructed andarran ed to roject a light beamthrough said further opening Wl said ront and rear members in assembledrelation to illuminate the face of a user when looking in the mirror ondepression of the switch button to light said bulb.

2. The flashlight and mirror unit defined in claim 1 in which saidflashlight assembly comprises said light bulb and penlite batteryconnected together in axial alignment by a compression spring providingan electrical circuit between the light bulb base terminal and thebattery casing terminal, said spring resiliently separating the lightbulb and battery center terminals and serving as said spring biasing ofthe switch button.

3. The flashlight and mirror unit defined in claim 2 in which saidswitch button is removably seated in bayonet fashion in said chamberopen end for removal and replacement of parts of said flashlightassembly.

1. A face-illuminating flashlight and mirror unit comprising apurse-size mirror secured in a frame comprising front and rear matingmembers joined together substantially in a plane parallel to and behindthe plane of said mirror, said front member having a large centralopening in which said mirror is secured against forward movement by anintegrally formed bezel ring and against planar movement by interiorwall sections extending about portions of the periphery of the mirror,said rear frame member having a rear wall from which diametricallyextend behind the mirror a pair of spaced parallel walls definingopposite sidewalls of a chamber, a pair of arcuate walls, one spaced oneither side of said chamber, upstanding from said rear wall andprojecting forwardly beyond the plane of said joint of the matingmembers forming a backing against rearward movement of the mirror, aflashlight assembly located in said chamber and having a light bulbextending beyond the periphery of the mirror, said front frame memberhaving a further opening adjacent said light bulb, and a switch button,spring biased in a normally open extended position, projecting from anopen end of said chamber beyond the periphery of the mirrordiametrically opposite said light bulb, said light bulb, mirror, frameand switch button being constructed and arranged to project a light beamthrough said further opening with said front and rear members inassembled relation to illuminate the face of a user when looking in themirror on depression of the switch button to light said bulb.
 2. Theflashlight and mirror unit defined in claim 1 in which said flashlightassembly comprises said light bulb and penlite battery connectedtogether in axial alignment by a compression spring providing anelectrical circuit between the light bulb base terminal and the batterycasing terminal, said spring resiliently separating the light bulb andbattery center terminals and serving as said spring biasing of theswitch button.
 3. The flashlight and mirror unit defined in claim 2 inwhich said switch button is removably seated in bayonet fashion in saidchamber open end for removal and replacement of parts of said flashlightassembly.